Compiled by Joseph Back

QUOTE OF THE WEEK “My top three priorities are jobs, jobs, and job.” New Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker in his inaugural address.

Pierce County roads will get a facelift County Highway F and M get funding help from the federal government by Kimberly Adams Thanks to funding from the federal government, Governor Jim Doyle announced December 30, that $125.3 million will be allocated to improve rural and urban local highways and roads throughout Wisconsin. Some of this funding is earmarked to improve roads in Pierce and neighboring St. Croix Counties.

The federal Surface Transportation Program-Rural (STP-R) will fund 86 projects along local highways across the state with a $50.4 million in federal funds administered by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. STP-R funds are used to complete improvements to rural roadways – primarily county highways throughout Wisconsin’s approximately 100,000-mile local highway system. In Wisconsin, county officials set priorities for STPR projects… Authentic Chinese food comes to Prescott by Kimberly Adams Prescott residents that are snowed in, too cold to go outside or simply don’t feel like cooking up the evening meal are in luck thanks to a new Chinese restaurant in town… “We want to make it convenient for local customers,” Jay said.

Customers who call in their orders can expect their food to be ready within 15 minutes…Their telephone number is (715) 262-0095… It’s Paul Miller Time; by Paul Miller Two Lake Holiday Weekend, Eau Galle and Lake “X” It was father/son bonding time for me and my son, Aron, over the holidays as we enjoyed a day of fishing together. I also had the opportunity to accompany a former Prescott resident now living in Texas for a day of fishing as well.

We set up the ice fishing shack on Lake Eau Galle about 50 feet from the fishing pier. It wasn’t long for the perch to start biting. Once the day warmed up, our crew bounced around from hole to hole, and we were rewarded with some nice sunnies… Column sponsored by Most Pharmacy of 201 Broad Street, Prescott.

25 Years Ago PIERCE COUNTY HERALD December 11, 1995

STATE BRIEFS Student leader says credit cuts cheapen degree MADISON—The University of Wisconsin System might cheapen the value of its degrees if it forces its four-year campuses to reduce the required number of credits for a bachelor’s degree, a student leader say.

David Stacy, president of the United Council of University of Wisconsin Student Governments, told a Board of Regents committee that UW students are already taking fewer classes to graduate than the national average.

Defenders call for bigger checks to balance costs JANESVILLE—The state public defender program hires lawyers at $38 an hour for needy defendants, a figure that some attorneys argue is too little compared to the bigger checks provided in high-profile cases.

Jack Hoag, a Rock County criminal lawyer, said he and other lawyers are taking fewer public defender cases because state-authorized fees don’t cover their expenses.

“The indigent are being judged as not worthy of a good criminal defense. Many people simply don’t give a hoot about the poor,” Hoag said.

The state often pays $150 an hour for outside legal representation in high-profile civil cases, attorneys said. Critics of the system don’t complain that $150 an hour is too much—only that $38 an hour is too little.

35 Years Ago PRESCOTT JOURNAL December 5, 1985

Community Calendar Al-Anon meetings. Thursday evenings, 8 p.m. at the United Church of Christ. 206 N. Locust, or call Nancy, 262-**** Monday, Dec. 9. Applications taken for food assistance. Prescott senior citizens center, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Sun., Dec. 8th, the 11th grade Confirmation Class of St. Joseph’s will serve a delicious pancake breakfast from 9 – 12 in the church hall. Everyone welcome.

45 Years Ago PIERCE COUNTY HERALD December 18, 1975

Confirmation* at St. Francis Church Sun.

St. Francis Parish welcomed ninety-three candidates for adult membership in the Catholic Church on Sunday, December 16, 1975. Bishop Freking of La Crosse officiated at the ceremony during which the following people were confirmed: Kathleen Flynn, Frederick Howe, Jennie Denzer, Lee Langer, Nancy Buck, Phillip Huppert, Colleen Larson, Colette Larson, Sherri Zwolenski, Mark Blodgett, Karen Donelly, Mark Kinneman, Jacolyn Foley, William Foley, Joanne Hines, Craig Anderson, Elizabeth abeth Richie, Tim Johnson, LisaArmbruster, ScottMark, Denise Simon DouglasAnderson Carla Quinn Joe Crownhart Teresa Lisa Armbruster, Scott Mark, Simon, Anderson, Quinn, Crownhart, Koller, Richard Geifer, Douglas Volenec, Barry Kruse, Pamela Kruse, Richard Leonard, Thomas Borst, Paul Jurgensen, Donna Caturia, Daniel Brenne, Julie Bergman, Stephen Molitor, Judy Deiss, Daniel Swanson, Lori Billeter, Julie Billeter, Steve Szilagy, Jim Szilagy, Jean Schrader, John Schrader, Joseph Smith, Andrew Smith, Julie Johnson, Craig Johnson, David Murphy, Jerome Murphy, Lynne Beach, Denise Beach, Mary Jo Kaufhold, Scott Kaufhold, Deborah Marson, Keith Marson, Danette Huppert, David Brenner, Debbie Stoetzel, Richard Hines, Frances Falteisek, Michael Huppert, Kathryn Huppert, Thomas Drewiske, Kristl Straub, Bradley (Bardley) Kaufman, Karen O’Connell, James Hamilton, Debora Haugrose, Patrick Dougherty, Michelle Nugent, James Klass, Gale Langer, Stephen Miller, Janet Thalacker, Greg Cain, Patricia Kirchner, Mark Denzer, Beth Fagerland, Thomas Duffy, Maureen Dunne, David O’Neil, Tammy Kreye, Mary Peterson, Robin Huppert, Maureen Pechacek, Becky Jo Wiebusch, John Bartlett, Julie Hanson, Bobbie Radabaugh, Carol Johnson, Mary O’Neil.

*This is sadly the age in modern times that a local congregation will last see its young people, perhaps for years, or ever as the old mainstays like starting a family fail to bring many back. This is worth concern on every level of the Church. North Africa, after all, was once Christian.

55 Years Ago PRESCOTT JOURNAL December 2, 1965

The Law and You: The State Bar of Wisconsin Public Information Service EMERGENCY PHONE CALLS Many people have a party line telephone. Suppose that a house catches fire—or some other grave emergency arises—and someone tries to call the fire department or the police. Others are using the party line. They refuse to yield the line to permit the call, the house burns down or the robber gets away.

What is the law on this?

The 1965 Wisconsin legislature recently strengthened the law which provides a fine up to $500 for refusing the immediately surrender the use of a party line on being informed by another person that he wants to report a fire or summon police, medical or other aid in case of emergency.

An “emergency” means a situation in which property or human life is in jeopardy and the prompt summoning of aid is essential. This would include a fire, a robbery in progress or a critically injured or ill person.

But don’t be a smart aleck and ask for the line if there is no real emergency. For example, calling one’s husband to ask him to pick up groceries on his way home is no emergency. The law also provides a fine up to $500 for requesting the use of a party line on the pretext that an emergency exists…All telephone books must contain a warning notice concerning this law.

DEAR SANTA… Below are two of the first Santa Claus letters received by the Journal for publication. We wish to thank these young one for their confidence in their local paper. It is with pleasure that we print the following: Dear Santa, My brother Lonnie and I are hoping we have been good enough in the past year that you will stop at our house this Christmas.

Since we both like to have the same toys to play with we would each like to have a Johnny Eagle Red River Set and a Big Red.

There will be a little snack of milk and cookies waiting for you. Have a Merry Christmas and a good time delivering toys to all the boys and girls all over.

Lynn (Johnson) Dear Santa, I have tried to be good and would like you to bring me a new bicycle, a B-B gun, a new lamp and a card game.

I am 7 years old and go to St. Joseph’s School. Our address is 50 Elm Street.

Love, Scott Perry NEWSPAPERS Sikeston, Mo., Standard: “The role of the free newspaper is misrepresented perennially by politicians who lose elections. Often the distorted picture is deliberate, because experienced public officials know better. They know that the press attempts to be as fair as possible in its news columns. But a public which does not understand the various functions of its newspaper may be misled by half-truths. Traditionally, the free editor reserves the right to express his own opinion in editorials. The ‘stand’ of the newspaper is judged by editorial expression. Yet, in news sections, and in letters to the editor, more space is often given to an opposing viewpoint.”

70 Years Ago RIVER FALLS JOURNAL December 7, 1950

Santa Claus Letters Dear Santa, Please bring me a sled, a gun and holster and a tractor like my Dads. I am 3-year-olds and Mom says naughty sometimes, but not always, Santa.

Love, Dean Hicok Dear Santa, Please bring me a sled, iron and iron board be good I am five years old

good. old.

Love, Barbara Lynn Hicok P. S. Don’t forget Mother and Dad with something.

Dear Santa Claus, I have been a pretty good boy this year, Will you please bring me an erector set, and a basketball and basket.

Thank you, Tommy Nielsen, 521 E. Maple St., River Falls, Wis.

Dear Santa, I have been a good girl. Please bring me a pony, a cowgirl hat, and a play guitar.

Love, Jean Waxon PLEASANT VALLEY Born, to Mr. and Mrs. Henry Blegen of Spring Valley, November 30, a son, Delmer John.

Mrs. Herman Trettine passed away early Monday morning after being ill for some time at the home of her son, Paul Trettine ROBERTS Community News By Miss Ella Francis Kenneth Wekkin, who has spent the past months in Iceland, returned to visit his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bob Wekkin last week.

Due to the busy times, the PTA meeting which was to be held December 14, has been moved to the night of the big Musical at the high school on December 22. The meeting will be a short one at 7:45 and all members are urged to come early so the meeting will be over before the program is to begin.

Mrs. Vera Johnson of River Falls came up on Tuesday and took her mother, Mrs. A.J. Walker, to visit at the Noel Monteith home in Baldwin. Mr. Monteith is a grandson of Mrs. Walker, and he and his wife and three children have recently moved to Baldwin.

Mr. and Mrs. H. M Adams were Sunday guests at the H. B. Godden home.

Mrs. Albert Johnson is still confined to St. John’s Hospital where she is receiving treatments. We hope to hear of her return soon.

National Council of Churches Founded at Cleveland, Ohio, Meeting The past week marked a great step forward in the working unity of the Christian forces of America. The official representatives of 27 Protestant and Eastern Orthodox Catholic* communities met in Cleveland, Ohio, November 28 to December 1, and created the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.

*most likely Chalcedonian Orthodox, the term “Catholic” used without reference to those churches in union with Rome.

85 Years Ago ELLSWORTH RECORD December 5, 1935

TRIMBELLE RESIDENT DIES Mrs. Christ Michelson passed away at her home in Trimbelle Thursday evening after an illness of several months. She suffered a stroke in August and had been in failing health since.

Besides her husband, she is survived by one sister, Miss Ida Skaar of Minneapolis. Her stepchildren include

125 Years Ago THE WEEKLY PRESS Maiden Rock, Wis.

December 4, 1895 LOCAL AND OTHERWISE Ice-boating is fine.

Give us your job printing.

Paper napkins at this office.

For legal advice call on A. Cook.

1940 steamboats passed through the drawbridge at Prescott, this season.

Little Frankie Brunner has been very sick the past two weeks, and is now convalescing.

Quite a number from here attended the dance at Plum City, Thanksgiving eve.

When you are in need of pencils, tablets, or any kind of stationery go to the PRESSS office. ONO Locals H. Betterley is sawing wood since he finished threshing.

Miss May Hunter was a guest of C. Hawn and family of Rock Elm, last week.

Mrs. S. Gerrish and Mrs. Przybilski were callers in Rock Elm, last week.

A very pleasant party was held at Casper Wood’s last Wednesday eve.

Sam Gerrish has been disabled from work for some time, on account of a felon* on his thumb.

*archaic use.

160 Years Ago PRESCOTT TRANSCRIPT November 24, 1860

Editor Charles E. Young After the Comment on the closing of the Prescott Democrat: It seems strange to us that Prescott cannot or will not support two papers…—NORTH STAR